Council Says No to SFCC Request to Waive Permit Fees

Sedalia City Council met on Oct. 20 and recognized three new firefighters with a badge pinning ceremony, including William Thomas Holman, Jacob Walker and Connor Moriarty.

Holman was pinned by his wife Caitlin. Walker was pinned by his wife Delaney and Moriarty was pinned by his grandmother Judy, according to Chief Matt Irwin.

He noted that the three have spent over eight months training to become Sedalia firefighters. Irwin also noted that they pushed through a six-moth EMT class in a little over a month.

Under Finance and Administration, a request from State Fair Community College to waive permit fees for a coffee shop remodeling project failed.

The request was tabled during the Oct. 6 meeting so more information could be gathered.

An appearance by SFCC President Dr. Brent Bates was not enough to sway the Council in favor of the request, as the vote was three yes, three no and two abstentions.

Voting no were Council members Lee Scribner, Tina Boggess and Bob Hiller.

Abstaining  were Council members Michelle Franklin and Rhiannon Foster.

There was not a majority yes vote, so the measure failed.

A private donor is providing start-up money for the project through the State Fair Foundation, Dr. Bates said.

Council then heard an employee insurance renewal presentation from IMA representatives. IMA is the City’s insurance broker and worked with City staff to keep premium increases as low as possible, while maintaining strong benefits.

In her presentation, Financial Director Jessica Pyle looked at August sales figures at cash registers, net sales and use tax figures year to date.

The City had previously projected a four percent increase, but instead saw a 1.4 percent increase in revenue over last year, or roughly a $300,000 difference.

Marijuana taxes are up about $18,000 over last year. Pyle noted that this is the first year the City was able to compare to a full previous year, as sales began in October of 2023 in Sedalia.

Franchise tax is lower fiscal year to date by over $350,00.

Transportation taxes are higher primarily due to an increase in gasoline tax, she said, or about 11.2 percent.

Vehicle sales are flat and vehicle fees are down by 2.7 percent.

Property taxes are lower fiscal year to date, but the majority of that will arrive in December and January.

City Clerk Jason Myers than gave Council an overview of his department for strategic planning purposes.

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Under Public Works, a permissive use of right of way was approved by Council. This will allow citizens, organization and civic groups to apply for the use of a right of way in situations where a traditional easement would but be necessary or practical, it was noted.

Council then unanimously approved a request from Dennis and Diana Melnichuk to connect to City services. Their property is Lot 55 of Shepherd Meadow Estate, Plat 2, or 3570 Ashland Lane.

The property is currently outside city limits, and will be annexed into the City once the property becomes contiguous, according to an agreement.

Council also approved a comprehensive Condition Assessment of the Southeast Waste Water Treatment Plant. The cost of the assessment is $100,00 and was previously approved in the FY 2026 budget. Crawford, Murphy and Tilly was selected as the most qualified firm to do the work.

A request to erect stop signs at Southwest Boulevard and Skyline Drive was rejected by Council during the 70-minute meeting.

The matter was review by the Citizens Traffic Advisory Commission and was soundly rejected as well, by a vote of 7-0. This occurred after the Public Safety Committee reviewed the request and passed it on to the Commission.

The Council vote was five no (Hiller, Scribner, Foster and Robinson), two yes (Boggess and Cross) and one recusal (Franklin).

One new liquor license was granted:

*Lisa Volk dba The End Zone, 3129 West Broadway, for Ducks Unlimited Banquet at the Mo State Fairgrounds for Oct. 25

Two liquor licenses were renewed:

*Paul Beykirch dba County Distributing Co. Inc., 1800 Eagleview Drive for wholesale beer sales, $50

*Paige Shearer dba The Local Tap, 700 South Ohio, for liquor by the drink, $450

Under Miscellaneous from the Mayor and Council:

Councilwoman Boggess said she felt the need to explain her absence when the vote on the bridge rehab was taken.

She explained that she had a doctor’s appointment she had to keep.

Council meets again Nov. 3. The public is invited to attend.